Government of Canada announces Newfoundland and Labrador communities to benefit from Connect to Innovate funding

News Release

Communities across the province to get access to new or faster Internet through joint investment

January 29, 2018 – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Over 70 rural and remote communities throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit directly or indirectly from faster Internet. They will be able to do business online, participate in distance education and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital age thanks to a combined investment in high-speed Internet.

A large portion of federal funding is being allocated through Connect to Innovate, a federal program that aims to provide Canadians in underserved communities with access to high-speed Internet by investing in backbone networks, upgrading capacity and extending access.

A list of communities that will benefit from Connect to Innovate funded–projects in Newfoundland and Labrador along with the Internet service provider and Connect to Innovate funding for each project can be found in the Connect to Innovate Newfoundland and Labrador projects table.

Connect to Innovate Newfoundland and Labrador projects

The communities listed for each project continue to change as the implementation of projects evolves.

Quotes

“Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it’s essential. High-speed Internet is a basic tool that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of their postal code. Canadians need this service to do business, upgrade their education and build stronger communities. Thanks to our Connect to Innovate program, more Canadians will be able to participate fully in the digital economy.”– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada’s Connect to Innovate program is investing $500 million to go toward building the digital backbone of high-speed Internet networks in Canada. Backbone networks are the digital highways that move data in and out of communities. These highways carry large amounts of data that are essential for schools, hospitals, libraries and businesses to function in a digital world.

Connect to Innovate will also fund last-mile connections to households that don’t have high-speed Internet.

Of the $39.97 million invested in Newfoundland and Labrador (announced on January 2, 2018), $26.88 million will come from the federal government, $1.57 million will come from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and $11.52 million will come from other contributors.

Of the federal investment, $24.78 million in funding will come from the Connect to Innovate program and $2.1 million will come from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Connect to Innovate is part of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class.